Mick Napier, secretary of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: "We very much welcome the decision by Glasgow City Council for this symbol, however modest, of solidarity with Gaza."

Mr Napier also called on Glasgow City Council to support the Palestinian call for the boycott and sanctioning by the international community of Israel until the current conflict ends.

Glasgow is twinned with the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, which is in the West Bank, a partnership that was announced in 2007.

The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Sadie Docherty, today wrote to the Mayor of Bethlehem, Ms Vera Baboun, offering “heartfelt sympathy to the people of Gaza”.

She wrote: “Glasgow is home to many friends of Palestine and this is a deeply distressing time for them.

“They represent a variety of ethnicities, political persuasions, faiths and none. However they are united by a common desire to support the Palestinian people.

“In solidarity with Bethlehem and Palestine, Glasgow City Council will raise the Palestinian flag on Friday 8th August. We hope that peace can be found to ensure the human rights for the people of Palestine.”

Cllr Docherty went on to say that Glasgow held its twinning arrangement with Bethlehem in the “highest esteem”, and that she hoped to strengthen cultural links and develop opportunities for the citizens of both cities.

She added: “I would like to convey my most sincere condolences to the many in your city and throughout Palestine, who have been affected by this conflict. Please be assured that our thoughts are with you and we are hopeful that an immediate, enduring and peaceful resolution can be found to this conflict.”

Councillor Stephen Curran took to Twitter to announce the news, writing “Palestinian flag to fly above @glasgowcc chambers on Friday 8 August, act of solidarity with people of Gaza recognising humanitarian crisis.”

The council also pledged to work with the Scottish Government, whose external affairs minister Humza Yousaf last week announced that the SNP administration would donate £500,000 to help alleviate the crisis.